Study Desk

"May the stars of its twilight be darkened; May it wait for light but have none, And may it not see the breaking dawn;

Who long for death, but there is none, And dig for it more than for hidden treasures;

"I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, And I am not at rest, but turmoil comes."

"If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking?

"But now it comes to you, and you are impatient; It touches you, and you are horrified.

"Something was standing still, but I could not recognize its appearance; A form was before my eyes; There was silence, then I heard a voice:

"But as for me, I would seek God, And I would make my plea before God,

"But He saves from the sword of their mouth, And the poor from the hand of the strong.

"For He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds, but His hands also heal.

"But it is still my comfort, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

"How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?

"When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I arise?' But the night continues, And I am continually tossing until dawn.

"The eye of him who sees me will no longer look at me; Your eyes will be on me, but I will not exist.

"Why then do You not forgive my wrongdoing And take away my guilt? For now I will lie down in the dust; And You will search for me, but I will no longer exist."

"He depends on his house, but it does not stand; He holds on to it, but it does not endure.

"In truth I know that this is so; But how can a person be in the right with God?

"He will not allow me to get my breath, But He saturates me with bitterness.

"Then I would speak and not fear Him; But I am not like that in myself.

'If I am wicked, woe to me! But if I am righteous, I dare not lift up my head. I am full of shame, and conscious of my misery.

"But if only God would speak, And open His lips against you,